BRAIN HEALTH IS MENTAL HEALTH
Summary:
The brain composes thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is very much like a soggy computer where the complex connections (fiber tracts) rival a very sophisticated AI processor, but the components are composed of soft tissue. Disturbance of brain function can occur due to physical trauma (TBI, concussion, blast injury with one blast equating to 100 concussions, direct wounds, surgical intervention, etc.), toxic exposure (burn pits, fire exposure, chemical exposure, medications, substance overuse, etc.), infection, and inflammation caused by psychological trauma due to cortisol (HPA Axis and the Thyroxin Axis). Any of these factors or a combination of them may cause disturbances in function and are common sources of injury resulting in Diffuse Axonal Injury Neurobehaviors further affecting an individual’s mental health.
Healthy
Awareness of concussion among military members, first responders, and athletes has reached an all-time high where concussion is at epidemic levels affecting mental health. One cannot have mental health without brain health or brain healing. A concussion is not just a brain bruise that heals, it is evident weeks, months, and years later with the right diagnostic tests. The MRI-DTI without contrast reveals Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) of the Association Fiber Tract, Projection Fiber Tract, and the Commissural Fiber Tract. When these fiber tracts are not firing, an individual may present with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, social anxiety, and other cognitive disorders. The RightEyeQ reveals neuro-optic injury indicating concussion, since five cranial nerves are associated with vision. Cognitive screening helps to evaluate processing issues due to Diffuse Axonal Injury. Neurofeedback Assessments give providers information regarding brainwave dysfunction (hemispheric brainwave over or under arousal) due to Post-concussion Syndrome causing mental health issues. Revolutionary emerging technologies, such as these will change neurological recovery forever. The operative term here is the recoverable brain. The human brain is designed to learn throughout life and brain cells and fiber tracts may heal given the proper treatment modalities.
At NorthStar Neurological Rehabilitation and Hyperbaric Clinic, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the first therapy that has been demonstrated to heal brain injury. The extensive research of Dr. Paul Harch and others covers the basic science of healing with HBOT. A list of published articles can be found on the website TreatNow.org. Additionally, Dr. Harch’s book The Oxygen Revolution (3rd Edition) outlines his years of research and experience in treating brain injury with success. Follow up MRI-DTI’s and SPECT imaging have both shown that HBOT is a proven modality to heal the brain.
NorthStar Neurology, PC / NorthStar Hyperbaric Office
As Combat Veterans have expressed, HBOT heals the hard drive whereas Neurofeedback heals the soft drive of the brain. Neurofeedback has also been researched to treat brain injury and trauma with BrainPaint and BrainPrint being the most researched neurofeedback protocols to date. Neurofeedback corrects brainwave over arousal and under arousal in both hemispheres helping to eliminate injury neurobehaviors of depression, anxiety, social anxiety, rumination, sleep issues (reticular formation dysregulation), substance overuse etc. HBOT and neurofeedback in combination with supplements aid in restoring our veterans and first responders to having a better quality of life eliminating suicidal ideation. In Dr. Paul Wand’s book, The Concussion Cure, he outlines the significance of treating concussions with HBOT, Neurofeedback, and supplements with great success. May more providers learn the art and the meaning of the recoverable brain understanding brain health is mental health.
MRI-DTI of a 50 yo male with multiple concussions. The Association Fiber Tract (Green), the Projection Fiber Tract (Blue), and the Commissural Fiber Tract (Red) indicate all three fiber tracts are truncated causing cognitive and emotional processing difficulties. The atrophy shown (the gap between the brain and the skull) may be from alcohol overuse.
Dr. Cynthia Dowdall, Ph.D. is a Neuro-Rehabilitation Therapist treating Veterans and First Responders with Post-concussion Syndrome, PTSD, and Toxic Exposure. Her practice is Arizona Integrated Mobile Wellness at NorthStar Neurological Rehabilitation Clinic, in Tucson, AZ. (520) 229-1238
Dr. Carol Henricks, M.D. is a Neurologist treating Veterans and First Responders with TBI, Concussion, Toxic Exposure, and Trauma. Her Practice is NorthStar Neurological Rehabilitation and Hyperbaric Clinic, in Tucson, AZ. (520) 229-1238
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